SISD signs contract with Responsive Education Solutions

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Snyder ISD is a step further along the pathway of moving out of the Texas Education Agency’s scrutiny after trustees approved an operations contract Thursday with Responsive Education Solutions.

The five-year contract, drafted in accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1882, should exempt the district from TEA intervention due to student performance for a period of two years. 

The contract establishes details of the agreement between the district and Responsive Ed, a Lewisville-based non-profit charter school management company, for management of the Junior High.

Responsive Ed will manage Snyder Junior High School starting during the summer with preparations for the 2020-21 school year, Snyder ISD Superintendent Dr. Eddie Bland said. 

“This is just the next step in the process of making sure we get where we need to be,” he said. 

“We’re excited about the partnership with Responsive Ed. So far, everything we’ve done working with them, on academics for the Junior High (School), we’re very positive. I think it’s going to be good for our students and for our community. We’re just looking forward to a very successful relationship with them.”

Houston-based attorney David Thompson of Thompson and Horton, a law firm engaged by the school district to negotiate such contracts on the district’s behalf, said the contract is a positive one for Snyder.

“I think you have a very good contract that preserves the district’s interests. It focuses on student performance,” he said. “It has good, clear metrics, which are always key, because your abilities to enforce the contract are really dependent on having very clear and high expectations set forth in the contract for your partner, and I believe your folks have done a very good job of spelling those out.”

Dr. Alan Wimberley, chief education architect at Responsive Ed, said he’s enthusiastic about the progress Snyder ISD and his company have made regarding their partnership.

“We’re excited to be there,” he said. “I’m personally invested in what’s going on in Snyder. I already love the district, love the teachers there and I’m really excited to be working with them.”

Bland said Responsive Ed seems to genuinely care about Snyder’s students.

“Responsive Ed has been great to work with so far,” he said. “They’re already working hard on trying to make sure that we’re set up to push the junior high (school) to where we want it to be and where they want it to be next year.”